Do I need a warranty?

[mjc55]

This might be a daft question but I will ask anyway.

 

We are about to commence a self-build.  We will be doing the majority of the work ourselves apart from (possibly some groundworks (i.e. dig footings), flat roof covering (to get a guarantee), window installation (to get a guarantee & size/weight of some of the doors - 6.5m sliders) & electrics.

 

Each of these would come with there own guarantees/warranty, any other build issues would be down to me as I would be doing it.

 

So what would I gain from a warranty?  Any issues a warranty provider would presumably come after me anyway as the "builder" so no point in insuring?

 

 

[Conor]

You'll need one for mortgage or selling the house. There are exceptions, some lenders just require a professional completion certificate if the project was overseen by a qualified professional. 

[Kelvin]

Do you need a mortgage, if so what are their terms. Might you sell it over the next few years and therefore the buyer might need a mortgage. 

[mjc55]

Fortunately do not require a mortgage. 

 

There is no plan to sell in the next ten years.  i know plans can change but am prepared to cross that bridge in the unlikely event that it comes to pass.

 

As far as a qualified professional overseeing it, I was an Architectural Technologist (or at least obtained an AT degree although never got round to becoming chartered)

[G and J]

It’s all about tickets and PI cover.  We are keen on a warranty ‘in case’.  
 

If one of us goes under a bus then it’s sensible for the survivor to be able to sell and go live somewhere else if they prefer.  
 

If we overspend on the build, given we are both retired, the only funding option will be a lifetime mortgage.

 

In both of those scenarios we would benefit greatly from having a warranty, so we have played it safe.   We are viewing them as worthless otherwise.  

[nod]

You only really need a warranty for selling Or if your mortgage supplier insists 
In any case 

Windows doors flat roofs Wouldn’t be covered by a Structual warranty 

These companies hardly ever pay out 

Even NHBC won’t cover defective work 

[G and J]

It’s early days for our flat roof quotes but so far it appears that the extra cost of an insurance backed guarantee for the flat roof itself is so great as to make it more sensible to go without.

[scottishjohn]

yor going to need acompletion cert and elctrican cert anyway --

so I do not think you need to do so 

you will need to do a "buyers pack "if you come to sell so that would cover it 

[nod]

25 minutes ago, G and J said:

It’s early days for our flat roof quotes but so far it appears that the extra cost of an insurance backed guarantee for the flat roof itself is so great as to make it more sensible to go without.

To be Fair The days of the leaky flat roofs of the 70s and 80s are long behind us Most are bombproof 

 

[scottishjohn]

yes you can forget a decent grp roof for 30years +

[nod]

37 minutes ago, scottishjohn said:

yes you can forget a decent grp roof for 30years +

I did ours at our previous build I had absolutely no experience A friend who builds boats advised me and said if the bottom of a boat doesn’t leak A bit of rain won’t bother your roof 

[G and J]

We’ve gone out for two quotes expecting EPDM (rubber) membrane things.  Both companies have stated in no uncertain terms that such a roof is unsuitable.  
 

Instead they are both advocating a welded PVC single ply membrane.  Whether that’s because we have a parapet and three skylights I’m not sure.  

[scottishjohn]

grp all the way

[mjc55]

6 minutes ago, G and J said:

We’ve gone out for two quotes expecting EPDM (rubber) membrane things.  Both companies have stated in no uncertain terms that such a roof is unsuitable.  
 

Instead they are both advocating a welded PVC single ply membrane.  Whether that’s because we have a parapet and three skylights I’m not sure.  

 

Interesting, did they say why EPDM was unsuitable?

 

We are going for a green roof and currently thinking EPDM underneath.

[nod]

7 minutes ago, mjc55 said:

 

Interesting, did they say why EPDM was unsuitable?

 

We are going for a green roof and currently thinking EPDM underneath.

EPDM isn’t as hard wearing as GRP

I definitely would put anything on top of it 

 

I can’t remember who But a lady on here had had a slate land on a EPDM roof damaging it You could drop a car on a GRP roof 

[scottishjohn]

11 minutes ago, mjc55 said:

We are going for a green roof and currently thinking EPDM underneath

cos its cheaper than grp and would be protected by the soil and vegitation 

until a crow decides to dig a worm from your green roof and punctures the membrane?

[Nick Laslett]

5 hours ago, G and J said:

We’ve gone out for two quotes expecting EPDM (rubber) membrane things.  Both companies have stated in no uncertain terms that such a roof is unsuitable.  
 

Instead they are both advocating a welded PVC single ply membrane.  Whether that’s because we have a parapet and three skylights I’m not sure.  

Good thread here on this topic. 
 

Like most of these discussions, the choice of material is less important than the skill and experience of the installer. 

[JohnMo]

5 hours ago, G and J said:

welded PVC single ply membrane

We've got a Sarnafil mechanically fixed and welded membrane. Great stuff, easy to do upstands etc. Comes with 10 year manufacturer guarantee, only qualified installers get to install.

[G and J]

2 minutes ago, JohnMo said:

We've got a Sarnafil mechanically fixed and welded membrane

Will look that up.  Thank you.   
 

6 hours ago, mjc55 said:

 

Interesting, did they say why EPDM was unsuitable?

 

We are going for a green roof and currently thinking EPDM underneath.

Essentially that on EPDM upstands, etc. are fixed with glue like a pushbike tyre and properly welded single ply membranes are stronger.  They also cited the fact that EPDM often ends up wrinkly.  
 

Problem is they don’t do EPDM so one suspects bias. 
 

59 minutes ago, Nick Laslett said:

Good thread here on this topic. 
 

Like most of these discussions, the choice of material is less important than the skill and experience of the installer. 

Thank you Nick.  Will read. 

[Kelvin]

We have this stuff. Similar to Sarnafil. 
 

https://www.alwitra.co.uk/single-ply-membranes

 

[Nick Laslett]

13 hours ago, JohnMo said:

We've got a Sarnafil mechanically fixed and welded membrane. Great stuff, easy to do upstands etc. Comes with 10 year manufacturer guarantee, only qualified installers get to install.

@G and J, good luck understanding the various Sika offerings. Their website is a labyrinthine mess. 
 

We have Sika Trocal, which is welded and glued down. But our flat roof is very simple as it is just a table top, chopping off the ridge line. 
 

Even Sika Sarnafil has many variations. We have a 20 year Sika Manufacturer guarantee. 
 

This is who did our design and installation. 

http://jcservicesltd.com/services/cladding-installation

They talked to Sika technical to clarify the design requirements. 

[Temp]

If you have kids perhaps think about life insurance instead. When our aunt died it took years to sell her house. The council soon wanted double council tax and there were ongoing maintenance charges.

[mjc55]

3 minutes ago, Temp said:

If you have kids perhaps think about life insurance instead. When our aunt died it took years to sell her house. The council soon wanted double council tax and there were ongoing maintenance charges.

Our kids have kids! I will let them worry about it.